Method and apparatus for handling threads



April 23, 1957 R. T. LYNCH ETAL 2,789,339

n METHOD AND APPARATUS FDRHANDLING THREADS Y Filed April 5, 1953 s sheets-sheet 1 BY )7M/F74@ J ATTORNEY April 23, 1957 R. T. LYNCH ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS RoR HANDLING THREADS e sheets-sheet'z Filed April 5,` 1955 INVENTORS.

IND HIS C mm@ 'A BY A7741@ I W m ATTORNEY April 23, 1957 R, T, LYNCH HAL 2,789,339 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING THREADS Filed April 3, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheetl 3 April 23, 1957 R. T. LYNCH ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS TDR HANDLING THREADS Filed April 3. 1555 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 lll I| CHARLES /z'lV/ch'o "In,v HUGH (D. lLL/NG BY 77//4Q 7'5 7 ATTORNEY April 23, 1957 n.1'. LYNCH ETAL 2,789,339

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANnLNG THREADS Filed April 5, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY April 23, 1957 n.1'. LYNCH ErAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FDR HANDLING THREADS Filed April 3195;

6 ,Sheets-Sheet 6 67mm is F/Wc//ozs 1" HUGH RIA uw@ MATTORNEY United States Patent() METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING THREADS Ridgeway T. Lynch, Asheville, Charles F. Nichols, Waynesville, and Hugh P. Rilling, Asheville, N. C., assgnors to American Enka Corporation, Enka, N. C., `a corporation of Delaware Application April 3, 1953, Serial No. 346,724

19 Claims. (Cl. 28-28) 'This invention relates to the formation of a warp from :a plurality of running ends of yarn and is more particularly concerned with the preparation of Warp from continu- .ously spun and aftertreated rayon yarns so that a large number of running yarns can be simultaneously subjected ato drying and/ or further finishing.

In the continuous spinning of rayon yarns one of the problems which is always encountered is the handling of :the still running yarns after the wet treatments are finished and before the yarn is collected. Where the aftertreatments are elected on thread-storage, thread-advancing devices, the usual practice has been to pass the yarns to a tinal thread-storage, thread-advancing device on which they are individually dried. With the advent of more modern after-treating systems, such as tube spinning, it is not economically feasible to eiect drying on threadstorage, thread-advancing devices which have to be'spunin individually for to do so would, at least somewhat, offset the advantages of the automatic spinning which the newer continuous systems aiiord. On the other hand, to dry the yarns in warp form involves the inherent difculty of disposing of the running ends at the beginning of an operating period when the warp is being formed from individually running yarns.

A further complicating factor is plant space. Most of the aftertreating systems require more space between the units for treating a single yarn than Ithe very close spacing which exists between adjacent yarns of a warp. Thus, f.

if the yarns are brought together but continued inthe same general direction as that in which they were liquid treated, space is wasted and double-sided machines cannot be used. If they are changedI in d'irectionthe problem has been how to do it in a simple and inexpensivev way.

It is then an object of the invention to overcome the? 'that the advantages of automatic spinning-in are retained,.

labor cost is reduced and the remaining manual steps in Warp formation are greatly facilitated.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment thereof in conjunction with the annexed drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of the nishing side of a tube spinning machine showing a warp forming trough arrangement according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portionof the warp forming appara-tus of the machine of Figure las it appears after spinning-in;

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section ofthe same fragments ofthe, machine that are shown. in Figure 2 but 2,789,339 Patented Apr. 23, 195.7

illustrating the yarn receiving trough with yarns entering lit as they do during spinning-in;

Figure 4 is a view in plan downstream from but correlated with Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view in vertical section downstream from but correlated wi-th Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in cross-section of the machine of Figure 1 looking upstream of the yarn receiving trough; v

Figure 7 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section showing a warp guiding comb near the upstream end of the machine;

Figure 8 is a view in section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a view in section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a view in top plan of a warp guiding comb construction of the type used near the upstream end of the machine; and

Figure 11 is a View in top plan of a Warp guiding comb construction of the type used near the downstream end of the machine.

In Figure 1, there is shown the right hand side of a two-sided tube spinning machine of the type having one hundred forty-four spinning positions. The illustrated right hand side of the machine comprises a spinning side 10, groups 11 of aftertreating tubes and a finishing and warp lforming section 12. The unillustrated side is similarly constituted and for that reason, this description is confined to one side of Athe machine with the understanding that the machine on the other side of the center catwalk is, in eieet, the mirror image of the illustrated apparatus.

The spinning side 10 of the machine of Figure 1 includes an elongated spinning bath 13 which extends for the full length of the machine and which accommodates seventy-two spinnerets. Yarn issuing from each spinneret is led around one of the godets of the pair 14 to a hot water bath 15, back to the other of the godets of the pair 14 and then to the tube group 11 in which aftertreating is eliected in accordance with the principles of Griset application Serial No. 122,560, filed October 20, 1949, now Patent No. 2,725,276, issued on November 29, 1955. Yarn issuing from the last aftertreating tube of a group 11 is discharged into the end of a large diameter drain tube 17 from which it is discharged into an elongated V trough 16 extending for the full length of the machine on the finishing side thereof. The enlarged tubes 17 are `shown to small scale in Figure l. A finishing solution iiows in the trough 16 from right to left, as the trough appears in Figure 1, so that the yarns discharged from the tube 17 fall into a flowing stream of finishing liquid and are carried downstream as a group later to be formed into a warp and dried by steps and apparatus hereinafter described.

From a study of said Griset Patent No. 2,725,276, it can be appreciated that the velocity at which the yarn is propelled through the treating tubes is, inter alia, a function of the length and diameter of those tubes and the speed at which the propelling and treating liquid is introduced. Thus, for the sake of easy maintenance of uni- 'formity in yarn propulsion rate and treatment, the last sheet out of the yarn issuing from all the tubes, it is desirable that the last tube of each group near the upper end of the machine, where the warp sheet is relatively narrow, be progressively longer. Conversely, near the lower end of the machine, where the warp sheet is broader,

'v the last tube in each group needs to be' successively shorter. ...The problem is solved by having the last tube of cach group 11 discharge into asloping tube.17 of very large cross Asection in comparison to an aftertreating tube. Thus, the tube 17, which has no pressure-velocity eect on propulsion rate in the group 11 and `yet serves 'as a duct to deliver the treating liquid'and the yarn from the last aftertreating tube to the trough 16, maybe of varying length depending `on its position along .the length of the machine.

The shape `and position ofthe trough 15 can best` be understood by 'concurrent reference to FiguresZ to 6, iinclusive. It'will be noted that the finishing side or warp forming section 12 of -the machine includes a group of spaced vertical standards 1S and, in a row parallel'to them, Vanother group ofl vertical standards Athese standards .are positioned opposite one another six spinning p'ositions'apart. IThe trough '16 is 'supported at spaced points along the machine fromstandards 13 and 19 in aman'ner which can best be understood by reference to Figure 6. The trough is made in the form of Va Viw'ith one ventical side and "one sloping Iside. The vertical. side lies in {the plane of` the standards 19and`the sloping side slopes upwardly toward the standards 1S and is supported by A`frame elements 18a extending from frame f18jto a rigid angle piece 16a .aixed tothe trough edge. The trough is Very shallow and very narrow at :itsupSre'am end as can beuappreciated from Figures 2, 3' 1and`v6. It extends the full width of the space between standardslS and 19 at the downstream end. Because ofthe fact that the bottom of the trough at the upstream end of the machine is higher .than the bottom thereof at the downstream end' thereof, it is `apparent that 'a liquid introduced into the trough will ow downwardly within the trough to its lowest point. The lower end 4of 'the trough 16 is 'shown in Figure 5, and it discharges into a chute 2t) which in turn discharges into a finishing liquid return box 21 (see Figure 4) positioned below warp draw-off rollers 22 .and 23.

.Finishing liquid is 'introduced into the upstream end of the trough 16 through a spout 24, sce Figure 3, supplied rorna pipe 2,5 through a valve 26. The liquid -lows'down the trough 16, falls into the box at 21 and is recirculai'ted by means, not shown, to pipe 25. The last tube of each tube group inthe aftertreating section 11 is also suppliedgwith linishing liquid, see for example, thesingle one of these tubes which appears in Figure 6 at27. That finishing liquid, with Ithe yarn, enters a straight itube 17 of enlarged diameter which in turn discharges into the trough 16. .Cousequently, the trough derives lfinishing liquid not only from the spout at 2d but also from th'e various tubes 17 which discharge both'the yarn and the treating liquid therein- Since the-treating liquid is llowing down hill fromthe upstream 'to the downstream end of the trough, it is .a'pparent that yarn discharged into the stream will be carried thereby to the downstream end of the machine. This is `illustrated in vFigures 3 `and 5. The slope of'the trough is calculated to be enough to make the liquid .flow therein at a speed in excess `of the speed of propulsion of `the yarns through spinning `and aftertreating. The yarns do not tangle very much in their movement along trough 16 ldue `to the fact 'that the tubes 17 are `of progressively decreasing` length from the upstream to the downstream end of ythe machine'so that Veach tube termihates just over lthe linside sloping edge ofthe trough. This is clearly shown in Figure 6 where the upstream tube 17 extends yto ya position above .the nearer edge. of the narrow part :of the trough while the downstream tube 17V assumes a like posi'tionuwith respect to the sloping edge of ,the wide downstream portion of the trough. The large number of intermediate tubes 17 which `actually exst'between the two tubes shown in Figure 6 have been omitted "for clarity of illustration, but a clear concept of theiry gradatinsin length can 'be had by reference to Figure 2.

noevthe'yarnis spun-in and is issuing from the Yariouvs"-tu`bes 17 as shown in Figures 3lr and 5, it, will be 21. The box has a screen-28 at its bottom so that the nishing liquid can go-through while the yarn will not.

When `all of the positions are `spinning properly, the Ioperator combs them `out in combs extending across the trough and delivers the combed warp through draw-oit rollers `to ldrying rollers. point to be emphasized in `respect to combing is apparent from Figure 2. llofv-the aftertreatingtubesofltliefgroups-11 :terminate in the same plane which ,is marked as plane a-a of Figure 2. The outer edge of the trough 16 -lies in plane b -b oil-iig ure 2. The nearer edge .of vthe 'trough 16 and the plane ofthe ends'of ,the tubes v17 `are both covergent toward vthe plane-a, in the downstream:direction, anddivergent from the plane b`b in the same way. films, the yarns are automatically offset in the trough 16 as they fall into it. The operator combs out fthe yarns by inserting a comb after every sixth spinning position beginning with the short comb 29 of Figures 2 Vand l0 :and ending with the long comb 30 shown in Figures 4 Iand 1l. lThe combs, such as combsn29 'and-30, are held inbrackets so that the operatormay raise manually the bundle of yarns running inkthe bottom of the trough, put thecombs in position. and then drop the yarns into the combs 'to align the warp.

Just how the combs are mounted and maintained to .ao complish the foregoing purposewill be apparent kfrom reference to Figures :7 to ll, inclusive. The brackets which. support the combs are affixed lrespectively to standards18 and 19. The standards `are disposed in mutually spaced relation in parallel planes and-it is ltherefore evident. that a combing bar or tube extending betweenthese standards willbe much too long at the upstream end of fthe machine. This is tak-en care iofby making the combs in groups of sixf'beginning at one end of a supporting tube orbar. The standards 19 are provided with U-.channel brackets 31 bolted `to the .standards Aby Ibolts 32. The standards 18 are similarly equipped with oppositelyfacing brackets 33 heldby bolts-34. A tube, such as tube 3,5.of Fgure7, is provided with flats 36 a-t Iopposite sides at bioth endstomake `a nonrotatable `tit in the brackets 3 1 and 33. Apin 37is passed through the tube 35. and the bracket 31 to lock tube 35 against axial slippage. The tube 35 .has .seven holes drilled through' it to accounnof date Iseven comb teeth 38. These teeth denne the ,side walls of a' .comb for six yarns while the bottom or bearing surface .of the comb is defined by a tube' 3.9 overlying arod 40. The rod 40 is threaded at bothends and fitted with a pair of nuts at each end, Voneofwwhich shows at 41'1'11 .Figure 8. `Brackets 42 and w43 are held by sctews from the tube 35 'and these brackets enc'ase the nuts at the endsof the rod`40 whereby the rod Y40 is held in fixed position relative to the tube 35 and the tube 39 is .held tangentto theteeth 38. i

Although all 'of the comb bars Ior tubes are o f the same length as tube 35, as shown in VFiguresl 7 to 41( in- Clusive., .thenmber of teeth varies with'the position of thecomb. This is apparent from yFigui-e Ylil where there is .shown Ithe last comb 30 in the downstream direction. This comb is like the ,comb at 29 except that .the teeth are suitable in number for accommodation of seventyqtwo yarns and the. tubes define the bottom of the combs are cumlatively 'of e-noughlength to accommodate seveiity-tw yarns. In Figure 11 -brackets ,4,4 are. supported from a tube 4:5, the'brackets corresponding exactly yin structure and function tothe brackets 42 and 4 3 .of Figure 7.n 'i Thebracketssupport a rod 46 which issurrounded by .twelve tubes 47 snflilar in structure and function to the Singletubs .3.9 0f .Figure 10- "Th fcornlrg structure intermediate theV upstream comb 29aid the; extreme downstreamcomb 30 is. likev that..

shown in Figures. 7 rto ll, inclusive, exceptthat the teeth increase. in thedownstream direction ofvcom-b` position in increments of six. All of. the. comb bars are like theY tube .35, instructure exceptforthe provision of additional spective supporting brackets. In threading up the ma,

chine the operator begins at the upstream end and raises the bundle of yarns out of the trough. This bundle, at the position of the upstream comb, is comprised of only six yarns. These six yarns are lifted above the level of the brackets 31 and 33, and tube 35 is slipped under them to position. After the comb is in place, the operator drops each yarn between a pair of teeth so that the yarns assume the position shown in Figures 2 and 7. At this stage six ends are combed outand sixty-six ends are not. The operator then takes the next comb downstream, raises the six combed yarns and the uncombed bundle of six to a position above the brackets, inserts the comb and puts the yarns between the comb teeth. This is repeated until the entire machine is threaded and the yarns are running as a continuous warp, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. All the while the running ends of yarn have been drawn ot from the trough from the rollers 22 and 23. When the combed part of the warp reaches those rollers, the operator can cut ot the waste and lead the warp to drying rollers, such as the bank 48 shown in Figure 1 and from there to a take-up via additional drawoff rollers 49.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of directing and grouping a number of aftertreated individual yarns that are propelled in generally parallel paths to separate points of discharge that comprises owing a stream of liquid intersecting the points of discharge at an angle to the paths, discharging said yarns onto said stream, supporting and propelling the yarns by said stream to a zone beyond the last discharge point and drawing o the resulting body of yarns at said zone.

2. The method of forming a warp from a group of aftertreated individual yarns that are propelled in generally parallel paths to separate points of discharge that comprises owing a stream of liquid intersecting the points of discharge at an angle to the paths, discharging said yarns onto said stream, supporting and propelling the yarns by the stream to a zone beyond the last discharge point, drawing off the resulting body of yarns at said zone and thereafter separating and individually guiding the component yarns between the dischargev points and the zone. v

3. The method of forming a warp from a group of aftertreated individual yarns running in generally parallel paths to separate points of discharge that comprises tlowing a stream of liquid intersecting the points of discharge at an angle to the paths, discharging said yarns onto said stream, supporting and propelling the yarns by the stream to an end thereof, drawing ot the resulting body of yarns and thereafter separating the yarns from mutual Contact between the drawing-olf point and the points of discharge and individually guiding the yarns in paths parallel to and above the stream.

4. The method of forming a warp from a group of aftertreated individual yarns running in generally parallel paths to separate points of discharge that comprises liowing a stream of liquid intersecting the points of discharge at an angle to the paths, discharging said yarns onto said stream, supporting and propelling the yarns by the stream to an end thereof, drawing off the resulting body of yarns, thereafter separating the yarns from mutual contact between the zone of drawing ot and the points of discharge and drying the resulting Warp on the other side of the drawing ot zone from the stream.

5. The method of forming a warp from a group of aftertreated individual yarns that are propelled in generally parallel paths to separate points of discharge that comprises flowing a stream of liquid intersecting the points of discharge at an angle to the paths, discharging said yarns onto said stream, supporting and propelling the yarns by the stream to a zone beyond the last discharge point, drawing o the resulting body of yarns at said zone and at a second zone therebeyond, separating and individually guiding the .component'yarns be#1 tween the discharge points and the first draw-olf zone, and applying heat to the resulting warp between the rst and'second draw-oli zones.

6. The method of forming a warp from a group of aftertreated individual yarns that are propelled in generally parallel paths to separate points of discharge that comprises ilowing a stream of liquid intersecting the points of discharge at an angle to the paths, discharging said yarns onto said stream, supporting and propelling the yarns by the stream to a zone beyond the last diS- charge point, drawing off the resulting body of yarns at said zone and at a second zone therebeyond, separating and individually guiding the component yarns between the discharge points and the first draw-off zone to form a warp overlying the stream and running to the first drawot'f zone, and drying the resulting warp between the tirst and second draw-otr zones.

7. The method of forming a warp from a group of aftertreated individual yarns that are propelled in generally parallel paths to separate points of discharge that comprises owing at a rate greater than the rate of yarn propulsion a stream of liquid intersecting the points of discharge atan angle to the paths, discharging said yarns and their propelling liquid onto said stream, supporting and propelling the yarns by the stream to a zone beyond the last discharge point, drawing off the resulting body of yarns at said zone and thereafter separating and individually guiding the component yarns between the discharge points and the zone.

8. The method of directing and grouping a number of aftertreated individual yarns that are propelled in generally parallel paths to separate points of discharge while associated withv a treating liquid, that comprises owing a stream of liquid intersecting said points of discharge at an angle to the paths, discharging said yarns and the associated treating liquid into said stream, supporting and propelling the yarns by said stream to a zone beyond the last discharge point and drawing ot the resulting body of yarns at said zone.

9. The method of directing and grouping a number of aftertreated individual yarns that are propelled by a treating liquid in a treatment zone that comprises guiding` the treating liquid and yarn emerging from the treatment zone in parallel paths to separate points of discharge, gravity owing a stream of said treating liquid intersecting said points of discharge at an angle to the paths, diS- charging said yarns and the treating liquid into said stream, propelling the yarns by said stream to a zone downstream of the last discharge point, drawing 0H the resulting body of yarns and recovering the treating liquid of the stream in said zone and recycling at least some of said treating liquid to said treatment zone.

l0. The method of directing and grouping a number of aftertreated individual yarns that are propelled in generally parallel paths to separate point lying in a irst plane, individually propelling each yarn in the same general direction beyond said points to discharge points all lying in a second plane defining with said iirst plane an acute angle, tlowing a stream substantially at right angles to said paths and in the direction of convergence of said iirst and second planes said stream intersecting on' one side the points of discharge and on the other side being parallel to said first plane discharging said yarns into said stream whereby the yarns are laterally spaced as they discharge into the liquid and may be conveniently combed into a warp.

ll. Apparatus for the formation of warp from a plurality of running ends of yarn that comprises a plurality of units each defining a yarn path, an elongated trough below but with its long axis intersecting the plane of the ends of said yarn paths, means to supply a yarn propelling liquid to Said trough, and draw-ott` means downstream of.

said trough beyond the last of said yarn path ends.

12. Apparatus for the formation of warp from a plurelittiV @Tunning-.ends of yarn that comprise a plurality otrunitsgeach de ning a yarn path, an `,elongated trough belowbut witlrits vlong yairis intersecting lthe plane .of the ends of said yarn paths, draw-ofi` meansdownstream of saidtroughbeyond thelast of said yarn path ends, means to rvsupply a propelling liquid to said trough and means to Y.cause the liquid toilow in a direction toward said draw-.off means lf3. Apparatus Yfor the-formation A,of warp from a pluralityofrunning .ends of yarn that comprises a plurality of tubular liquid treatment units each lhaving a yarn discharge end, anelongated trough .below but with its long axis intersecting the plane of said discharge ends, means to v 130W a liquid through said trough, draw-olf rollers downstream-of,saidrtrough,beyond the jlast of said discharge ends a plurality of vremovable `combs extending transrersely of Asaidtrough at spacedfpoints therealong and drying means beyond said draw-olf rollers in the direction of yarn travel.

`14. lApparatus forthe formation of warp from a pluralityof running ,ends of yarnthat comprises a plurality Qfitubular liquid treatment units each having a yarn discharge end, anelongated trough below but with its long axisintersecting theplane of said discharge ends, means to supply a propelling liquid to said trough, draw-oft rollers downstream of `said trough beyond the last `discharge ends and va lplurality of removable combs extending transversely of said trough at spaced points therealong.

15. `Apparatus for the formation of warp from a plurality of running ends that comprises a plurality of units defining substantially parallel yarn paths terminating in a common plane, a trough having one side parallel to said plane .and the other at right angles to said yarn paths, said trough underlying the terminii of said yarn pathsand sloping downwardly in the direction of the divergenceofits sides and means to supply a propelling liquidto said trough.

16. Apparatus for the lformation of warp from a plurality of lrunning ends that comprises a plurality of units defining substantially parallel yarn paths terminating in a common plane, a trough having one side parallel to said plane and the other at right angles tosaid yarn paths, said trough underlying the terminii of said yarn i8 pathsaand :sloping -dnwnwardly :in :the directionof Kthe divergence ofitssides, means to supply aipropelling liquid to said `trough and a `plurality 1of;removable combs extending across ,said trough atgspaced points rtherealong.

17. Apparatus for tthe `formation :of warp lfrom .a plurality of :running ends that comp-rises Va plurality of units .deiiningsubstautially parallel -yarn paths ,terminating in a common plane, atrough having .one side .parallel to said plane and the-@ther at right anglesto :said yarn paths, said trough underlying the terminii of Asaid yarn paths and sloping downwardly inthe .direction of the divergence y,of its Sidesmeans to supply a propelling liquid to said troughanddrawo means Vat ,the downstream end of the said trough.

t8. Av-comb assembly for .guiding .warp of :progressively increasing lmunbers .of Vcomponent kyarns that ,comprises a plurality of mutually :facing-brackets on opposite sides of the intended warp path, Ya :bargremovablyisupportedin each bracket, each -bar .having progressively more teeth in the direction ofincrease irl-thefnumber of component yarnsof the warp, a troughunderlying the toothed portion of `all of .the/bars, -and means `,to cause liquid ltoV -llow in said trough in the direction of the combs of `greater numbers of teeth.

19. A comb assembly for Aguiding awarp of yarn along an intended path overlying aftrouglnsaideomb assembly comprising a supporting bar having teeth projecting therefrom, `means, lfor quick detachably mounting said supporting `bar vin a predetermined position with respect to the trough, me-ansdeningaround-yarn.bearing surface andmeanssupported ,by said bar for removably holding said kbearing surface `defining means in ,tangent relation to `said teeth.

Relferences Cited in the-file ot this patent 'UNITED I STATES PATENTS 1,769,244 'Trantveter July 1, k193:0 l1,916,362 Dent July 4, k1933 2,090,862 Etzkorn Aug. 24, 1937 2,402,653 Clark v June 25, 1946 2,587,619 Hofmann? Mar. 4, 41952 2,619,677 -Ryan l .r. Dec. 2, 1952 

